ASM welcomes new CEO, Michael McDonagh - by Susan Mailman

The Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts is pleased to welcome and introduce our new CEO, Michael McDonagh. Mike replaces outgoing CEO Carrie Ciliberto, who has moved to Texas to get married. We thank her for her hard work and wish her well.  Mike joins ASM after serving as general counsel and director of government affairs for the 24,000 member Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) in Waltham. As member of MAR staff since 2001, Mike served as the association’s chief lobbyist, a continuing education instructor, and managed the association’s legal hotline. Prior to being named general counsel in 2012, Mike served as associate counsel for five years, answering calls on the MAR Legal Hotline and working with staff and members on a variety of risk reduction issues and programs affecting brokers and salespersons.

Mike comes to ASM with the goal of advancing the Association’s mission which is “to protect and advance the interests of all subcontractors and promote professionalism in public and private construction though education, communication, and advocacy.” The mission statement is simple and straightforward, as a mission statement should be. And that is to help members to be successful. A big part of that success comes from the work ASM is involved with on Beacon Hill in Boston.

And when it comes to advocacy, there are not many organizations that can claim they have advanced their member’s interests as much as ASM. The goal is usually very simple: to level the playing field and keep the construction industry fair. Just look back over the past eight years for some examples. In 2010, ASM successfully advocated for the Prompt Pay Law and four years later in 2014, the Association led the way on passage for the Fair Retainage Law. 

As we look forward, the 2019-2020 Legislative Session is already on the horizon. Elections remain the focus right now, but after November 6th Beacon Hill will once again turn their attention to legislative and policy matters. No one knows yet what the elections will mean for our state Legislature. ASM will, of course, be at the table advocating for our members on issues that likely will include another attempt to pass an unfair wage theft bill. Our association is keen on improving bills with an eye towards fairness. Each session over 5,000 bills are filed in the House and Senate so there will undoubtedly be other proposals that will impact the construction industry. This is where the benefits of belonging and being active in an association come in. By joining together, members can have a significant impact and a strong voice in state government.  

One of the advantages we have as an association is that we are a state-wide organization. Boston may seem to be the construction hub, but ASM members help drive the economy and employ thousands of workers all across the state from the Berkshires to Cape Cod. ASM members live and work all over our state.

The mission statement clearly identifies advocacy as a key priority for ASM but education and networking is another focus. We have a major upcoming event on October 17, when ASM will host the “GC Showcase,” which has become a tremendously popular event, held biennially for over 10 years. This one-of-a-kind event will feature 25 to 30 of the area’s leading general contractors and construction managers, along with approximately 200 subcontractors, representing the full spectrum of trades. The event will provide a great opportunity for general contractors, subcontractors and our partners in the industry to network and make connections and to discuss company operations and upcoming projects. We welcome and encourage GCs, subcontractors, and industry affiliates to sign up for this great event on our website www.associatedsubs.com.

Susan Coghlin Mailman is the president of the Associated Subcontractors of Mass., Boston and is the president and owner of Coghlin Electrical Contractors, Inc., Worcester, Mass